The Ripple Effect of Exercise
If you’re familiar with the saying, “your health is your wealth,” then it makes sense that exercise is an invaluable part of achieving your career aspirations.
Physician and nutrition expert Dr. Adrienne Youdim dives into the ins and outs of movement and the medical benefits of exercise in her article “The Second Pillar Of Health: Movement”. She explains that not only does exercise reduce disease, it also improves mental health.
“Exercise releases endorphins which help you feel good, and it can even help make you more able to tolerate psychological stress because of the physiological stress your body is also learning to cope with,” says Dr. Youdim
Pia Hinckle, one of the owners of The FruitGuys, WellFests premier wellness partner, speaks to me about her open water swimming practice and how it impacts her personally and professionally as a leader.
“I’ve always swum, played around in pools but it wasn’t until I was in my late 40s that I began doing it regularly in San Francisco Bay,” she explains.
Normally, Pia swims anywhere from 15-45 minutes in the bay but due to a training regiment she’s currently swimming 1 hour to 2 hours at a time and is working up to swimming 3 ½ hours.
“Exercise releases endorphins which help you feel good, and it can even help make you more able to tolerate psychological stress because of the physiological stress your body is also learning to cope with. ”
Pia is training for the Heaven to Hell swim, which is a total of 7 miles from Angel Island to San Quentin Beach in San Francisco, California.
“The water is different every swim, even if I swim two or three, or five times in the same day. The temperature, the tide, the wind, everything is always changing and I might adjust my swim based on that. For example, if the tide is very strong, I might change my route so I don’t have to work as hard coming back, when I am more cold and tired.”From a mindfulness standpoint, the ability to see each swim as a totally new experience and adjust accordingly is a powerful tool that can be applied in many ways. It is a practice of what is referred to as the “beginner’s mindset”.
Pia, who doesn’t wear a wetsuit, has trained her body to acclimate to water temperatures ranging from the low 50s in winter to the low 60s in summer and fall. This discipline showcases a strength and toughness that parallels a resiliency around the unknowns in life, as well as the unknowns of supporting her husband running the business for more than two decades.
“Embracing fear in the water taught me to embrace it in other parts of my life, which has led to me taking more chances and finding more opportunities. ”
“For many years I would have panic attacks on land and in the water. Those in the water were the worst and they almost made me quit swimming in the bay. But I loved it so much, I kept at it, and eventually learned how to swim along with my fear. And got some coaching and became a stronger swimmer, and generally more confident. Embracing fear in the water taught me to embrace it in other parts of my life, which has led to me taking more chances and finding more opportunities. I think it has also really helped to cope with menopause symptoms the last 5 years. Seriously the best thing for hot flashes! And it makes me happy. No matter how bad or sad or difficult a day I’ve had, the water washes it off. I have never been sorry that I went for a swim. It is my #1 mental health support. I have also learned a lot of humility and gratitude from the Bay and from swimming in it– I can’t control the conditions or the weather, I can only be grateful that I can witness whatever it wants to do and find a rhythm to be with it as best I can.”
The science backs up Pia’s observations. “Regular exercise has been shown to reduce nearly every disease process known to man. It will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes, along with reducing other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome,” says Dr. Youdim.
From a leadership perspective, Pia explains how her swim practice has impacted her as a business owner of 25 years. “Open water swimming has taught me a lot about resilience, humility, and how to work with fear. I think all of these qualities have made me a better business person, and a better coach and mentor,” Pia said.
“Regular exercise has been shown to reduce nearly every disease process known to man. It will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes, along with reducing other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.”
From a leadership perspective, Pia explains how her swim practice has impacted her as a business owner of 25 years.
“Open water swimming has taught me a lot about resilience, humility, and how to work with fear. I think all of these qualities have made me a better business person, and a better coach and mentor,” Pia said.
If you are new to exercise or are inspired to begin a new movement practice, the best place to start is exactly where you are at.
“If you can only fit in 10-15 minutes a day, then just do those 10-15 minutes. If you hate running but enjoy dancing around your house, do that. Go for walks or hikes with a friend, or walk in place in your living room. Move your body however you see fit and get a routine in place,” advises Dr. Youdim.
“Open water swimming has taught me a lot about resilience, humility, and how to work with fear. I think all of these qualities have made me a better business person, and a better coach and mentor.”
Thanks Dr. Youdim for the advocacy towards movement and exercise and thanks Pia for sharing your practice and inspiring us to get moving.
“I don’t think I could live without it,” said Pia. “The exercise, the communion with nature and the community of people in this sport have changed my life for the better. If I can do it, anyone can. Go try it! You’re gonna love it!”
Pia Hinckle about to jump into San Francisco Bay for a swim in 2015.